Study Weighs Breast-Reconstruction Timing

Some women may be better off delaying breast reconstruction after mastectomy, a study suggests. Researchers looked at 302 breast cancer cases. All of the women had mastectomies. Of these, 152 had reconstruction. This includes 131 who had it right away. In all, 100 women had radiation treatment. Further problems (complications) occurred in 44% of the women who had radiation after reconstruction. About 31% of them had to have their implants removed. But complications occurred in only 7% of women who had radiation but did not have immediate reconstruction. About 6% had their implants removed. One study author told HealthDay News that he has changed patient care because of this research. He now recommends a biopsy of the lymph node closest to the cancer before women decide about reconstruction. If this lymph node is cancer-free, a woman probably won’t need radiation.

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